As the modelling year comes to an end, and as I rarely get a chance to 'editorialize' (at least to any great extent), this seems like quite a good opportunity to be even more opinionated than I usually am (ahem...)

In this, I'm going to be taking a (highly) personal view of what (to me at least) have been the highs (and lows) of this year's new releases....

Beginning, naturally enough, with the 'plaudits' two companies have grabbed most of the headlines (at least in 1/35th - Trumpeter and Dragon.

The 'Plastic' Manufacturers:

Dragon. Have been the company with most releases during the year. Highlights were undoubtedly their series of Tigers, the continued expansion of the 251 series and perhaps most significantly, the New Generation II figure sets. Make no mistake, these have changed the way we see plastic figure sets. The introduction of the PzIV series has also been significant along with their plans to do more vehicles. Nor have Allied builders been badly served with several good M4s (and more on the way). No, the M3 halftrack, hasn't come to light yet although I feel that it will be there at some time in the not-too distant future. The LOWS have undoubtedly been the absurd criticisms which came from some quarters (particularly from some people who should know better). Also some prime-movers for the Flak36 & Flak37 would have been a sound strategy....

Trumpeter. No editorial/summary would be complete without a a bold-type mention of their KV Series in 1/35th, their (forthcoming) BR52s, Chinooks and their decision to do new kits of the Lav-25 & SA-6.. For a 'personal' subject innovation award, Trumpeter wins it hand-down for imagination. The announcement of a forthcoming 1/48th range of vehicles also deserves praise. The LOWS have for me, at least, been their lack of real enthusaism for 1/35th figures and their (peculiar) designations for the KV Series....

Tamiya. Sadly, the Japanese monolith, seems to have lost the taste for 1/35th scale. This, to a certain extent, has been compensated for with the release of some very good 1/48th scale kits - reviving interest in this scale has been Tamiya's biggest contribution to the hobby in 2005. 1/35th is thin on the ground with them with only one subject coming out in the next few months. LOWS begin with their insistence on re-releasing 20 year-old kits and (inevitably) some of the regional distributors of Tamiya who are doing them an incredible disservice....

Italeri this is a company, which, despite factors outside their control (cheaper production in China, high-value of the €uro & very-serious competion) are continuing to hold their own. Highlights were the LCVP, AutoBlinda and the German 6 Rad A/Cs...
LOWS - high-prices, insistence on re-releasing kits such as the M4a1 and their (expensive) 'up-grades' with resin parts...

AFV Club This is one of the companies I really like.During the year, their releases have been consistently interesting. Particularly noteworthy was their Flak 18, their superb range of ammunition sets and the 10.5cm Howitzers. A superb company which deserves an awful lot more attention than it receives. LOWS - their continuing lack of good communication with their customers, (their website is not the most inspiring place on the web) and their (seeming) inability to keep their new products secret...

The Aftermarket Manufacturers:

Despite, many gloomy predictions that the quality of the new 'Superkits' was going to leave the AM people struggling for subjects to improve or add to, the opposite seems to have happened. The 'stars' of this year have, in my opinion, (following no particular order of merit) been the following:

Armorscale, LionRoar, Voyager, Eduard (although they need to keep an eye on their prices...) Formations, Tiger Model Designs, Hauler, Armo, Legend

The 1/35th Figure Manufacturers:

Alpine Miniatures, Think-One-Eighty Studios, Tank, HobbyFan and DML (for Generation II)

After the bouquets, now comes the buckets. Sadly, there have been a few 'nasties' in this year's releases.

Least well-kept promise Award goes to Bronco Models. With a list which made everyone (Allied and Axis builder, large-scale and small-scale) get excited, the end-result has been exactly Nothing. Some test-shots, soem box-art and nothing on the shelves, Nada. Not a plastic sausage...

The Opportunities Lost Award goes to Academy for shooting itself in the foot with some awful releases - particularly notable their Sheridan...

The How many re-re-re-releases Award goes to Tamiya for releasing some total garbage...

Predictions For 2006... Some companies NOT mentioned will continue to go from strength to strength. For example, Accurate Armour, TRISTAR, and some of the AM companies from Eastern Europe will, in my opinion, continue to do great things. The dominant force in modelling will continue to be Chinese manufacturers. I'd also stick my neck-out and say that next year will see the companies becoming more 'consumer-led' and the Internet, will become the prime force in modelling...

Conclusions. Not a good year. A GREAT year for new releases, innovation and imagination. While some companies have kept plodding along with lead boots on. others, have taken the challenge and are soaring above the rest. If even 10% of the rumors of new releases for 2006 are true, we will be in for a memorable ride.

We will be continuing to expand and improve the site in the coming months, in the meantime, on behalf of the News Section, have a Happy Christmas followed by a prosperous 2006 and may all your half-tracks be M3s.....